The Lady Mags are still at the beginning of their pre-season, but made their sixth appearance at St. James’ Park on Saturday, this time against AC Milan, and recorded their sixth win.
There was a new formation, the 3-4-3 midfield of last season was abandoned and replaced by a traditional 4-3-3, but with players in different positions to what we are used to.
Lia Cataldo and Katie Barker moved from the left flank to the right, while winger Beth Harris operated in central attacking midfield.
There was even a rare appearance as goalkeeper last season, Hannah Hawkins
Five of Becky Langley’s seven new signings started, with the other two coming off the bench later. One of the players to make her debut was England Lioness Demi Stokes, who was also named captain, ahead of last season’s leading duo Grace Donnelly and Amber Keegan-Stobbs. The left-back looked classy throughout, as did Rachel Furness, who made some good moves on the left and made her first appearance for Newcastle since 2010.
There were relatively few spectators at kick-off, with fewer than 10,000, but as the game progressed the stands filled up and doubled in size by the final whistle. It was also very hot for a 1pm start, and there were drinks breaks in the middle of both halves.
AC Milan looked very strong on the ball early on and had excellent ball control as you would expect from an Italian side. However, Newcastle took the lead when Shania Hayles held on well down the left and released Elyssia Boddy, who cut inside and curled the ball into the top corner of the net, the team’s first significant shot on goal.
The lead was not to last long, however, as AC Milan scored two goals four minutes apart. Gloria Marinelli, working hard with Giorgia Arrigoni on the right, crossed low to the far post for striker Mikola Karczewska to slot home. Newcastle were not quick to react to the talented Marinelli on that goal and were guilty again shortly afterwards when the AC Milan winger took the ball from Charlotte Potts just outside the box and passed it to Valentina Cernoia. The Italian international controlled the ball and fired it past Hawkins into the bottom corner.
AC Milan continued to control the game, with Nadine Sorelli dominating the air in central defence and Cernoia soon after delivering a great cross that was cleared for a corner.
Newcastle finished the half brightly, however, and could have taken the lead at half-time when Furness first won a corner and then almost finished the resulting free-kick with a header, but her effort was cleared off the line by the always impressive Arrigoni.
A flurry of substitutions and stoppages in play in the second half meant neither team could get going. Perhaps the heat played a part too. There were a few moments of skill, however. Milan left-back Angelica Soffia showed quick feet as she charged forward and left Newcastle’s midfield behind to propel her side forward. And Valentina Donolato made an impression soon after coming on.
Then Newcastle equalised almost out of nowhere. Super substitute Jas McQuade stole the ball back from AC Milan’s midfield and then passed it to Amy Andrews. The former Durham striker slotted the ball past the last defender and then fired an impressive finish past reserve goalkeeper Noemi Fedele. Birmingham-born Andrews drew applause and celebrated outside the Gallowgate after scoring her equaliser in the 88th minute.
Newcastle could have won with a free kick in the seventh minute of added time, with Georgia Gibson hitting the wall with her first attempt at her preferred end of the stadium before her follow-up shot was blocked.
Since no further goals were scored, the game went to penalties.
AC Milan took the lead first, but Hawkins saved Marta Mascarello’s second shot and captain Evelyn Ijeh’s fifth and final shot hit the crossbar. Newcastle converted all four penalties, with Amy Andrews, Sophie Haywood, Georgia Gibson and Deanna Cooper all converting their penalties to secure a 4-3 victory.
A win is a win, as they say, and against a top-quality European opponent you certainly can’t complain.
Manager Becky Langley issued a warning to the rest of the league during the post-game press conference, saying the team was “unashamedly ambitious.”
New signing Amy Andrews made the best possible start to her Newcastle career, scoring a goal on her debut, before saying: “I want to win the Golden Boot and I want to be player of the season. Newcastle already feels like home and I already feel like an adopted Geordie. I’m ready to give everything for this club.”
Really impressive words. Newcastle United mean business and will certainly be one of the favourites for promotion this season.
Newcastle United 2 – AC Milan 2 (Newcastle United wins 4-3 on penalties)
Hannah Hawkins; Lia Cataldo (Olivia Watt 81), Charlotte Potts (Hannah Greenwood 81), Deanna Cooper, Demi Stokes; Beth Lumsden (Jasmine McQuade 46), Rachel Furness (Amber-Keegan Stobbs 67), Elysia Boddy (Georgia Gibson 81); Katie Barker (Sophie Haywood 46), Amy Andrews, Shania Hayles (Kacie Elson 52). Not used: Grace Donnelly GK, Claudia Moan GK.
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